THE CARNATION. 29 



and the cuttings set in rows about two inches apart and 

 three-quarters of an inch between the plants in the rows. 

 After a row is in place, the soil should be firmly pressed 

 about them, and a narrow groove made for another row. 

 The cutting bed should be in a temperature of fifty 

 to fifty-five degrees at night, while five to ten degrees of 

 bottom heat are desirable but not necessary ; during the 

 day the house should be thoroughly ventilated and the 

 temperature kept as near sixty degrees as possible. 

 Unless the cutting bed is in a north-side house, into 

 which no direct rays can enter, the cuttings will require 

 shading from nine until three o'clock on sunny days, 

 and should bo kept rather close for at least the first 

 week. The cuttings should not be allowed to get dry, 

 as, if the lower ends of the cuttings become parched, 

 they may as well be thrown out. The beds should be 

 sprinkled on bright mornings, and under favorable condi- 

 tions roots will form in three or four weeks. 



POTTING OFF. 



As soon as the roots have developed, the plants 

 should be placed, in flats of good soil, or in beds, at 

 intervals of two inches each way. Some growers find 

 that it pays them to pot off the cuttings, using two-inch 

 rose pots, while others greatly reduce the labor by keep- 

 ing them in the cutting box until they are planted in 

 the field. Very good results can be obtained by this 

 method with late-struck cuttings, provided an inch of 

 rich soil is placed in the bottom of the box, and covered 

 with two inches of sand. After the roots have been 

 formed in the sand, they will find their way into the 

 soil below, and thus obtain nourishment until they are 

 planted out. After being boxed or potted off, the young 

 plants should be kept at a temperature of fifty degrees 

 until they have become well established. If, during 

 this time, any of the plants start to throw up a flower 



